In one community alone, the superintendent of schools anticipates hiring 50-100 new teachers with the next five years. Because of increasing needs, many positions will be available for special education teachers. Unfortunately, special ed teachers are in short supply. Therefore, special education online courses can help potential teachers become exceptional children specialists, and current teachers can take the necessary online courses to obtain a special education endorsement or obtain a graduate degree in special education.

First, school districts around the country are desperate for qualified exceptional children specialists. (A glorified term for special education teachers) Understandably, special education teachers have additional challenges and concerns beyond those of a regular classroom teacher. Teaching physically, mentally, emotionally, and learning disabled students takes a very special educator. However, with the added convenience of special education online courses, the call for special teachers can reach the individuals wanting to enroll in a special education program and make the difference in the lives of exceptional children, who cannot afford to relocate or give up a current job in the interim.

Current teachers may also want to consider enrolling in a special education program. With distance education, teachers can acquire the credits necessary to retain accreditation, while gain a valuable endorsement in special education. For instance, whether a teacher currently teaches at the grade school, middle school, or high school level, all states require teachers to continue learning to earn a certain number of credits in a specific period of time. Therefore, special education online courses can provide the schools with quality special education teachers, and answer the educational requirements for continued certification.

Finally, current exceptional children specialists should always want to learn more, in answer to the growing needs of special students. While a bachelorís degree is an excellent step in the right direction, many teachers can also strive for graduate degrees. Thus, teachers can even earn a distance doctorate in special education online courses. Colleges understand the need to continue guiding exceptionally challenged children, while furthering personal knowledge and educational goals. Even teachers currently holding a Masterís degree receive a specialized curriculum with special education online courses.

In summary, administrators and students need more exceptionally qualified teachers in the area of special education. In addition, current teachers are considering additional career options by seeking a special education endorsement. Finally, exceptional children specialists are taking the proactive approach and returning for graduate degrees and an increased knowledge base. Whatever the need, special education online course are available to circumvent the difficulties related to continued college education.

Special Education - INTRODUCTION

Special Education, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs and abilities of disabled or gifted children. Disabled children have conditions that adversely affect their progress in conventional education programs. Gifted children, who demonstrate high capacity in intellectual, creative, or artistic areas, may also fare poorly in regular education programs. Special education services can help both disabled and gifted children make progress in education programs. Most children served by special education programs are between the ages of 6 and 17.

In the United States, federal law requires states to identify and serve all children with disabilities. Public education and health officials in the United States identified approximately 5.4 million infants, toddlers, children, and youth as disabled in 1994. That same year, the U.S. Department of Education reported that 12.2 percent of all children below the age of 21 received some form of special education. The most frequently reported disabilities are speech or language impairments; mental retardation and other developmental disorders; serious emotional disturbance; and specific learning disorders, such as memory disorders. Other disabilities include hearing, visual, or orthopedic impairments; autism; and traumatic brain injury. An increasing number of children in the United States are identified as having attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and receive special education services.

Many schools in the United States provide special education services for gifted children, although federal law does not mandate these services. Gifted children demonstrate exceptionally high abilities in intellectual, creative, academic, leadership, or artistic areas. Estimates of the gifted population in the United States range from 3 to 15 percent of all schoolchildren.